Grandma's Rhubarb Crunch

Every spring, Colin's mom, Mary Jane, makes this Rhubarb Crunch.  I love that it has a special syrup that is poured over the top, making it different from any crunch I've ever tasted.  Our family looks forward to it every year.

4 cups chopped rhubarb*

1 1/4 cups flour

1 cup oats

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

Chop rhubarb and set aside.  Mix together the flour, oats, cinnamon, brown sugar and melted butter:

Press one-half of crumb mixture into a buttered 7"x11" or 8.5"x11" baking dish:

Sugar Sauce:

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup cold water

1 teaspoon vanilla

Whisk sugar, cornstarch and water together in a glass bowl:

 

Microwave until thick, clear, and bubbly, approximately 3-5 minutes.  Remove from microwave and whisk in vanilla.  Add chopped rhubarb atop pressed-in crumb mixture in the baking dish.  Pour sugar sauce evenly over rhubarb:

Top with remaining crumb mixture:

 

Bake at 350 degrees until edges are bubbling and crumb topping is browned, about 30-40 minutes:

* If you're a little short on rhubarb, feel free to add in chopped apples or strawberries to get to 4 cups.  However, you wouldn't want to completely replace the rhubarb, as it is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the crust and sugar sauce.

Happy Spring!

Comments

[Betty]

How about a version without the pictures that can be printed?

Thank you!

[kerri]

my kids and i made a few batches of this wonderfully simple and delicious recipe. my husband suddenly likes rubarb, after 37 years of not liking rhubarb... my father in-law has asked for another... and my children are begging for more. thanks so much for sharing a piece of your rhubarb magic!
kerri

[Tricia Samsal]

This brings me back to my Grandma, she made the exact same recipe. Then I started making it once she passed away. It is my absolute all-time favorite summer recipe. Rhubarb is the best. Thanks for reminding me of this recipe, I haven't made it in awhile. Gotta get cookin!
Hugs, Tricia

[Lindsey Costa]

Yum!!! PS. I have that same white bowl that belonged to my Grandmother! I love it!

[Lisa]

Yes this is by far the best crisp I've ever had, and I thought I had had some good Rhubarb crisps in the past!! Will definitely be throwing all the other recipes out and only using this one! Thanks so much for a great site AND an even better Rhubarb recipe!!!!

[kiona Blandin]

I made this last night & I can honestly say it is hands down the BEST crisp ever!!! I added 2 cups of frozen strawberries & boy it was good. I polished off the remainder for breakfast!! Sorry Kids

[Malia]

I am making this.. Grandma Millicent used to make something similar. Thank you!

[gina in new england]

As soon as I read this recipe, I stopped, copied it as I knew I'd love it, and went out back with my just turned 8 year old daughter to harvest some rhubarb. She proudly chopped it up while I made the crumbly part and syrup, and our small group bible study ate it up 2 hours later. What a delicious recipe and a great memory for my daughter. Thank you!

[Sarah]

This looks wonderful! Is there a way to make the sauce on the stove if you don't have a microwave?

[Cindy]

Recipes are fun, thank you. I only need my rhubarb to grow a lot taller than the 4 inches it is. I will give this a try

[Elizabeth]

Thanks Serena, I will make this one! Ck. out my new Blog http://LizlovesVintage.Blogspot.com/ Leave me a comment!

[Timi Weathers]

I am going to have to make this for our next family reunion. Delicious!

[susan braun]

my grandma made peach cobbler, I miss it

[Jen]

I absolutely love it when you post recipes and fun crafts or misc. stuff to do! And trust me when I say, it wouldn't hurt my feelings if you posted more stuff like this! :) Your cookbook is a permanent fixture in my kitchen, and so many wonderful things have come from it. Getting posts like this are just an added bonus—kind of like a little Christmas present! :) Keep it up, miss!

[sally]

This recipe sounds so good..love rubarb..what I was wondering and have looked in your cookbook once to see if I could find this recipe..I one time and only one time attended Farm Chicks. Loved it..but while there I bought a gooey chocolate bar thing..so good.Ive always wanted that recipe..it was when you had Farm Chicks I think the town was called Fairview?? Do you have the recipe in any of your recipe books? I sure dont need to make any of these bars but would just love to have just that one... I also would love to attend Farm chicks since I live so close. Seems like I am on vacation during that time.

[Shannon]

yum, looks wonderful! I have checked my rhubarb and it is skinny as a pencil and only 4" tall....it will get there! :)
Shannon (in Maine, where we are a bit behind with the warm weather!)
www.cascobaysoap.blogspot.com

[kare]

Yum!! Boy, this brings back some really fond memories...we had a neighbor that made the best desserts with rhubarb & I was always her "tester." She passed away when I was in junior high but will always be special to me & whenever anything related to rhubarb (or yogurt) comes up I immediately think of her!! I'll have to try this recipe for sure. Thanks for sharing. Nice to meet you!!

Kare

[Denice]

I'll definitely be trying that recipe. Absolutely LOVED the rhubarb and strawberry pie from your book (and all the other recipes I've tried)! A group of us from southern Alberta are thinking about making a road trip to the Farm Chicks show this summer. Can't wait to see it!

[maryann]

Thanks so much! I was recently introduced to rhubarb and I would like to try making this with some!!

Happy Spring!!!!!!!!!

[rebecca]

my rhubarb is almost ready to pick. My sister and I participate in a Rhubarb festival every year. We make 250 pies, 30 or so dozen muffins, 2 jars of jam...and we have perfected a secret recipe for Rhubarb salsa...last year we sold 500 jars! If you are in Ontario Canada, the 2nd weekend of June...you will find us at the Rosey Rhubarb festival in Shedden!!!

[junkdreams]

Hi Serena,
I am salivating just thinking about this rhubarb dish....going to have to find some time to make it tomorrow. I, too, am dying to get to one of the Farm Chicks shows!!
Happy day!
xojanis

[Bobbi L]

I grew up in ND and still LOVE rhubarb! but now living in the desert, i have to actually pay for it in the stores. up nort' its a free for all. anyone and everyone gives that stuff away....sighhh. thanks for sharing !

[Cass]

This looks absolutely wonderful! I love Strawberry Rhubarb pie (with a serving of vanilla ice cream on the side) but this dessert looks and sounds incredible. I am heading to the Farmers Market (opening day)on Saturday and at the top of my list is rhubarb. Thanks so very much for sharing this treat!

[turtle]

lol, if your a little short on rhubarb just come over to my house! i have more than i know what to do with and it will stay strong through november!

[Julie Harward]

I wish I had some rhubarb right now and I'd make it! I love two things...anything lemon and anything rhubarb...this is a great recipe, thanks! Is your home started yet? Come say hi :D

[Alice Peterson]

Looks delish! I could probably just eat a bowl of that yummy-looking topping and be happy too!

[Megan @ LittleBellaBean]

Oh wow, I've never tried Rhubarb! I was thinking about making your Blackberry one from The Farm Chicks Book. I have frozen blackberries left from last summer. (Oh how I am looking forward to summer!!!)

My husbands family has a little old home in Hartline WA and I've been wanting to head over sometime soon to enjoy some warmer weather and wide open spaces. We live in Western Wa.
I love your blog and book, thanks for all the inspiration! How do YOU stay inspired with little ones under foot? (Or are they not so little anymore?) I've been struggling lately to be creative. I have 2 little ones ages 4 and 2, and am 20 weeks pregnant. Most days life takes all of the creativity out of me!

Blessings to you,
Megan

[leah]

i love me some rhubarb. love. me. some. 'barb.

[raggygirlvintage]

Rhubarb - you either love it or hate it, I am firmly in the love it camp!! Will try this for sure, even if I have to eat the whole pan! Thanks Serena. It's always a treat to stop by. I'm so itching to get to your Farmchicks show, both as a shopper and maybe even vendor one day, I'll be entering your giveaway for sure!
Tracey

[Holly]

this looks wonderful!!! My plant is ready for it's first picking and I must make this!!!
Thanks for sharing!! and thanks grandma!!

[Donna Connolly]

Loved browsing your website and I'm definitely going to make this...Thanks for all the great recipes and "Keep them coming"!

[chasity]

that looks delicious...beautiful photos!

[Leslie]

Oh yum! I can't wait to try this!!

[the country cook]

That sounds really good, especially the crunch part! I've only had rhubarb once (and it was mixed in with other fruit), but I don't think I'd be afraid to try this recipe. - www.delightfulcountrycookin.com

[nichole heath]

YUM! Rhubarb is my favorite! As a kid we would pick it right out of Grandma's and Grandpa's garden, peel it, give it a sprinkle of salt, and eat it. Every year I still pick some out of their garden and bake with it and always freeze some for later use! Thanks for sharing this recipe, it looks delicious!

[melissa klein]

Lovely! going to give it a try!

[Karin]

I love rhubarb! I'm heading to th farmer's market this weekend to get a bunch or two, in fact. I did plant some in the garden, but I have to wait until next year to harvest it. :( I am not patient! Thank you for sharing this recipe. It looks delicious!

[Sue]

Great to see rhubarb getting a good rap, so many people are afraid of it, we love it!

[Lesley Blayney]

I LOVE rhubarb too!! I recently did a rhubarb themed ETSY treasury called Ready For Rhubarb? The link is below.

http://madamedamselfly.blogspot.com/2010/03/who-loves-rhubarb.html

I love your blog and wish that the Farm Chicks Show wasn't so far away - one day we'll get there or maybe even be a vendor! Thanks for the recipe - will try it out. Rhubarbs almost ready!

[katie paxton]

Oh that looks heavenly. I love rhubarb, in fact I used to grow it years back. Thank you for the great recipe

[MadHenMama]

I ADORE rhubarb. I so look forward to it this time of year. This sounds delicious. I WILL be making it. Thanks!

[Kim-HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

That sounds so yummy!